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So we've learned that "і" and "та" both mean "and" in previous lessons, and now it's also saying that "а" is another way to say "and." What are the technicalities of when to use which version of those three possibilities??

I've copied and pasted what they said (I'll try and go back and find the original poster so I can give them credit).

"1)Mom and Dad. 2) I speak English and you speak English. 3) And who are you? 4) I speak English and you speak Ukrainian. The first two sentences have "and" as a copulative conjunction. Sentences 3 and 4 - "and" as an adversative conjunction. Use і/та for 1) 2) and а for 3) 4)"

As for when to use 'i' vs 'та', as I understand it they seem to be largely interchangeable, though the latter is usually used after a word that ends in a vowel, while 'i' is used after words ending in consonants.

The "a" in this case does not have the same meaning as "and", it can be better translated as "while". That is "This is mother, while this is aunt". The gist of the connector is to highlight a contrast, not a similarity between the two nouns. You can get this sense if you stress the second "this". Hence, you're not gonna be using "а" as a connector in sentences where a simple "and" is needed, e.g. "I have a mother and a father".

Again, please do not use different terms and translations in ONE course or lesson.
Both translation might be correct
mom = мама
mother = мати, матір
Also not the biggest mistake mother/mom = мати/матір/мама
Please, stick to one approach in one course.